Escape
to Vietnam is a short yet relaxing tour of the highlights of north and central
Vietnam which are best visited between March and August. Starting in Hanoi discovering the charms of Hanoi and you will
be taken on an exciting street food tour of the Old Quarter streets to enjoy
aromas from local street food stalls with the head of Hanoi's Gastronomy Club.
From Hanoi head to Halong Bay for an extended 3 day cruise around the outer
islands of Halong Bay, allowing plenty of time to explore the lesser visited caves
and inlets by kayak. Then fly to Central Vietnam for a 5 night and explore the
historic central region between Hue and Hoi An.
Finish with two nights explore Ho Chi Minh City & Mekong Delta
before flight back home.

**
All our tours are Exclusive Private Tours, so you will not be put together with
other guests **

Day 1: Welcome to Hanoi

Fly to Hanoi, VIETNAM

Welcome
to Vietnam. Upon arrival at Hanoi Airport, obtain your Vietnam visa
(please refer to your Special Program Note), and then clear Immigration and
Customs. After collecting your baggage, exit the airport to meet outside a
local Guide of Global Travel & Tours. He/she will be holding a sign with
your names on it. Please note that local guides are not allowed inside the
airport.

From
the airport, you will be privately transferred to your lovely boutique hotel.
Hanoi, originally named Thang Long or “City of the Ascending Dragon” was the
first capital of Vietnam in A.D. 1010. Situated in the Centre North of Vietnam,
the city is known as one of the most attractive and interesting places for
visitors. In addition, after the fusion in 2008, Hanoi ranks in the top 20
biggest cities in the world.

Full day guide tour of Hanoi: Your guide will meet you at 8am at
your hotel, you'll head out with your guide
and begins with a visit Ba Dinh Square to see Ho Chi
Minh’s Mausoleum, the museum to his life and the simple cottage where he lived
and worked, along with his "house on stilts" and his final resting
place; and take in Hanoi's famous One-Pillar Pagoda, constructed in 1049 to
resemble a lotus blossom. Next, you’ll continue to the Temple of Literature,
which dates back to 1070 and is dedicated to the cult of Confucius and visit the Museum of Ethnology, where we'll learn about the
fascinating cultural diversity of this ancient land.

This
afternoon, drive through Colonial Hanoi, seeing the Opera House and other local
sights. Go inside infamous Hoa Lo Prison (“Hanoi Hilton”), where Senator John
McCain and Douglas “Pete” Wilson were once imprisoned, and continue to the
National History Museum of Vietnam. Take a cyclo ride through the Hanoi’s Old
Quarter, a network of narrow alleys and shop houses also known as “The 36
Streets.” This is a wonderful place to watch the local life, and peruse items
from fabrics to crafts to exotic medicines. Enjoy a traditional Vietnamese
water puppet performance, a uniquely North Vietnamese art form celebrating
rural life and folklore for over 1,000 years, this evening.

Day 3: Hanoi

Meals
Provided: Breakfast

Street
food tour of Hanoi: This morning explore Hanoi's culture through a street
food tour with the head of Hanoi Gastronomy's Club. Start off with a stroll
around a local market to experience the sights and sounds of an authentic daily
scene. Then wander about the Old Quarter streets to enjoy aromas from local
street food stalls. The first stop will be made at Ly Quoc Su Street to taste
the pan fried "Banh Goi" which made of rice mashed, pork, and
vermicelli served with vegetables and bean sprouts. Continue to Hang Manh
Street where you can have a chance to taste fantastic "Bun Cha", a
Hanoi noodle soup, which is served with fried "Nem", or spring-rolls
filled with pork or crab. After this snack, a short stroll to Hang Da market
will allow you to try some assorted sweet fried fruits "O Mai". End
the trip at a well-known rustic restaurant - Cha Ca La Vong. There is only one
dish - grilled fish fillets, smothered in dill and saffron-infused oil, served
straight from the frying pan onto your plate.

This
afternoon is free to relax at your hotel or explore more of Hanoi
independently.

Day 4: Hanoi / Halong Bay Overnight
Cruise

Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

This
morning, after breakfast transfer to Halong Bay to board an overnight cruise on
Halong Bay. Halong Bay is listed as a World Heritage Area of outstanding
natural beauty. “Dragon descending to the sea“ as it is known in Vietnamese,
picturesque Halong Bay has more than 1,000 limestone islets rising from the
sea, many of them containing beautiful grottoes. Welcome
aboard the Auco Luxury Cruise. The first day of your cruise provides an
introduction to the amazing scenery of Halong Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay.
Cruising throughHalong Bay will literally take your breath
away. Depart from Tuan Chau, meet the on board team and receive a safety
briefing. Acquaint yourself with the five elements cuisine with lunch on board,
while The Au Co cruises leisurely towards to Vung Ha area. First, visit the beautiful Vung Ha beach
for swimming and water activities.

Back to The Au Co to join a Cooking
demonstration then enjoy Happy Hour with “Buy One Get One Free”: Beer, House wine (by the glass), Soft drinks, Long drinks,
Cocktails.

Savour our five elements signature
dinner of Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water. After that, you could relax with
a drink at Lan Ha bar or enjoy squid fishing from the main deck

Start
the day with Tai Chi - physical movements designed for relaxation, balance and
health - on the sundeck of the boat while enjoying the panorama. After
breakfast on board, visit the Vung Vieng fishing village by rowing traditional
bamboo boats for about an one hour. Then, come back to the board and take a
tour of the Captain's Bridge and the Engine Room. After that, savour a
delicious lunch in the Halong Restaurant while the ship cruises towards Lan Ha Bay
and Cat
Ba Island for a guided biking or hiking excursion in the national
park of Cat Ba Island and visit of The Au Co Organic Farm. Kayak and swim in Viet Hai Lagoon.
Back to The Au Co to enjoy an extended Happy Hour for two hours. Try the
barbeque buffet in the restaurant while the boat is at anchor.

The day ends with a drink at Lan Ha bar or join our crew and try squid fishing on
the deck.

Last but not least for the day, join our
kitchen staff for a fun fruit carving sessions.

Day
6: Halong Bay to Danang, Hoi An via Hanoi

Meals
Provided: Breakfast

Halong
Bay, designated a UNESCO world heritage site for its limestone rock formations,
is home to about 2,000 isles and islets of different shapes and sizes, creating
a truly breath-taking seascape. Halong Bay is also attractive for
beautiful beaches on the small islands. Awake early and join the Tai Chi
session on the sundeck or enjoy the breath-taking views of the bay while
The Au Co cruises leisurely in Halong Bay. On the way back to port, enjoy
breakfast and take a last glimpse of the beautiful scenery from the bar or
sundeck. Then, participate in a guided tour of Sung Sot (Surprise) Cave.

After
breakfast, prepare for check out: your bags must be put in the corridor. You
can also join a Vietnamese traditional tea ceremony. Finally, the ship
disembarks in Tuan Chau Pier. Our guide and driver will be
waiting for you at the pier and drive you back to Hanoi and transfer to Hanoi airport in time to
catch your onward flight to Danang,
Vietnam's most beautiful city, and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, located on
the central coast of Vietnam.

Welcome
to Danang. Upon arrival at Danang Airport. After collecting your baggage,
exit the airport to meet outside a local Guide of Global Travel & Tours.
He/she will be holding a sign with your names on it. Please note that local
guides are not allowed inside the airport.

From
the airport, you will be privately transferred to your lovely boutique hotel. Hoi An, known to early Western merchants, was one of the major
trading centres of Southeast Asia in the 16th century. Hoi An has a distinctive
Chinese atmosphere with low, tiled-roof houses and narrow streets; the original
structure of some of these streets is still virtually intact. Many of the
houses were constructed of rare timbers and decorated with lacquer panels
engraved with Chinese characters and pillars carved with ornamental designs.

Today,
discover how the traditions of the past are treasured in the present in Hoi An
on the Thu Bon River, a key international trading port between the 15th and
19th centuries – now a UNESCO World Heritage Site
for its well-preserved, centuries-old streets, dwellings, temples and pagodas,
touring Hoi An's historic highlights via cyclo with your guide. Highlights of
your walking tour through its charming streets, visit Hoi An history Museum,
Fukkien Assembly hall with Thien Hau temple dedicated to the Goddess of the
Sea, visit a typical ancient house of Tan Ky House and 17th century Japanese
Covered Bridge. Enjoy a boat trip along the Thu Bon River seeing life along the
river. Return back to hotel and enjoy the remainder
of the day is free at leisure.

Hoi
An, the cobblestone streets in the old French Quarter are a delight to roam
with many cafes, art galleries and handicraft shops. Hoi An is especially well
known for its local artists and tailor made clothing, with over sixty shops
providing this service in town.

Day 8: Hoi An

Meals Provided: Breakfast

Today
free at leisure to relax at your beachside hotel or explore Hoi An on your own.
A good chance to catch up with your tailor or search the numerous galleries for
a masterpiece.

Day 9: Hoi An / Hue /Forbidden Purple City of Hue

Meals
Provided: Breakfast

Road journey from Hoi An to Hue:After breakfast, you’ll be driven north
along highway 1 to Hue, a journey of approximately 3 hours. After passing
through the port of Danang, the highway meets the Hai Van Pass (meaning Pass of
the Ocean Clouds). There are some spectacular vista points and photo
opportunities en-route as the Truong Son mountain range cuts across the narrow
centre of the country. The mountain range has created a barrier to the cold
airstreams from the north which often results in thick cloudbanks over the
peaks. The pass has been a strategic military focal point during Vietnam's
turbulent history and from the top there are views of the curve of Danang Bay. There will be a stop in Danang to visit the Cham Museum, which
houses some magnificent examples of Cham art, China Beach, made famous during
the American war and the Marble Mountains. Continue
north to Hue where you will check-in to your lovely boutique hotel. Hué,
Vietnam’s most beautiful city, and now a UNESCO World Heritage site housing
fantastic artistic and architectural treasures. The Tombs of the Nguyen
Emperors are the main attraction. The Ancient Citadel of Hué has not fared well
and stands as a reminder of the infamous 1968 Tet Offensive. From Hué, the
Nguyen dynasty merged the lands of Vietnam and ruled it for almost 150 years.

After
settling in and enjoying a bit of free time, you'll head out with your guide
and spend the afternoon visit the historical Imperial Citadel. Often referred
to as “ancient”, Hue’s Citadel is comparatively modern in European terms.Built over thirty years in the early
part of the 19th century, the Citadel encompasses three “courts” covering a
total of 6 km. The Imperial City, built along the same lines as the Forbidden
Palace in Beijing, was the country’s administrative center. Senior mandarins,
court officers and civil servants would have entered by the “Ngo Mon” (noon
gate). Directly behind were the Dai Trieu Nghi (great rites courtyard) and the
Thai Hoa Palace (throne hall) where the Emperor would meet foreign rulers and
emissaries, high-ranking ministers and other dignitaries.At the heart of the Imperial City was
the “Tu Cam Thanh” (Forbidden Purple City). Only members of the royal family,
the Emperor’s concubines, and trusted senior mandarins and officers such as the
royal doctor were allowed through the sole entry gate. Inside were various
palaces and the Emperor’s private apartments. Despite more than fifty years of
decay and attrition, the Citadel is still imposing, and recent renovation work
has restored several of its buildings to their previous glory. Next, continue to Thien Mu Pagoda, sitting on the riverbank outside
the city, this octagonal seven tier stupa has long been regarded as the symbol
of Hué and was founded in 1601. It is still a site of Buddhist worship and its
huge bell is said to be audible from the city. Enjoy a cruise downstream to
watch sunset on the Perfume River, named after the tree resins and blossoms it
carries on its way to the Pacific.

This
morning, stroll around the hectic Dong Ba market with your guide. The market is
best explored in the morning when a sea of conical hats, colorful fabrics,
produce of every description and an array of vendors offer delights for the
senses await you. Continue to explore Emperors Tombs
Hue’s environment is dotted with tombs of past emperors of the Nguyen Dynasty.
Construction of the tombs was meticulous carried out starting whilst the king
was still alive in order to ensure his comfort in the next life. Most of the
tombs have courtyards, a temple for worship, statues of elephants and figures
and a pond, but the layout of each is different reflecting differing each
king’s personality and style. They have a lovely peaceful atmosphere. Khai Dinh
and the tomb of 19th-century emperor Tu Duc, considered the most beautiful mausoleums around Hue. Then,
continue to visit the Minh Mang Royal tomb, set amidst a lush pine hill by the
river and considered to be one of the most beautiful mausoleums. Each ruler of
the Imperial City built his own tomb during his reign.

Later
this afternoon, you'll be transferred to the airport in time for your flight to
Ho Chi Minh City.

Welcome
to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival at Ho Chi
Minh City Airport. After collecting your baggage, exit the airport to meet
outside a local Guide of Global Travel & Tours. He/she will be holding a
sign with your names on it. Please note that local guides are not allowed
inside the airport.

From
the airport, you will be privately transferred to your lovely boutique hotel.
Formerly known as Saigon, today’s Ho Chi Minh City is the bustling and
vibrating economic centre of the South. Over the past few centuries, Saigon was
called the “Pearl of the Far East” and was an important trading centre for
Chinese, Japanese and Western merchants who travelled along the Saigon River.

This morning, enjoy scenic drive through the countryside as
people work on their rice paddies and thatched hut villages scattered along the
way. Visit a local village making rice paper, a well-known product used to make
the delicious spring rolls. Arriving at the Cu Chi Tunnels to explore part of
the 151-mile underground network that zigzagged from the southern tip of the Ho
Chi Minh Trail near Cambodia to the Saigon River. Cu Chi is a must for anyone
interested in understanding a vital aspect of guerrilla warfare fought by the
Vietnamese against both the French and the Americans. These criss-crossing
tunnels were begun in the late 1940s by local resistance fighters looking for a
place to hide their weapons from the French. Discover secret trapdoors, field
hospitals, command posts, underground kitchens, living areas and meeting rooms.

After
lunch at a local restaurant, continue to discover Saigon's historic landmarks
including the former Presidential Palace which was once headquarters for the
Saigon Government during the "American War", and the War Remnants
Museum, established in September 1975 in Ho Chi Minh City. It contains
countless artifacts, photographs and pictures documenting some of the less
heroic activities carried out by the US army in Vietnam. Planes, tanks, bombs
and helicopters are also on display. Next visit the 1880's General Post Office
and the late 19th century Notre Dame cathedral, located in a peaceful part of
the city.

Road
journey through the Mekong Delta to Can Tho, via Cai Be: Leave the city and
drive south to Cai Be in the Mekong delta, a journey of approximately 2 hours.
The Mekong Delta is Vietnam's 'rice bowl' - a fertile region of flat farmland
interlaced with thousands of waterways and tributaries of the Mekong. The
delta's waters are interspersed with rice fields, colourful floating markets and
isolated villages accessible only by boat. On arrival in Cai Be embarkation on
Cai Be Princess junk boat, clients are welcomed with fresh cotton towels. The
tour will start with the visit of Cai Be colourfull floating market. We
will proceed by the visit of some local home factories such as rice paste
making, rice popcorn, coco candies, and longans drying processing. You will
then return on board Cai Be Princess to proceed the excursion to Dong Hoa Hiep
island located between Vinh Long and Cai Be during a 40 minutes cruise to
discover beautiful landscapes along the river and observe the typical Mekong
delta rural life. Stops on the way can be made upon request for particular
visits or photos making. These evergreen islands among the Mekong River still
remain unknown to many people. Visit at an ancient mandarin house dating from
the last century where the family descendants will welcome you with a cup a
warm green tea. Back on board Cai Be Princess for a 20 minutes cruise to Phu An
hamlet passing by Cai Be beautiful church.

Lunch
will await you at Le Longanier restaurant, a superb Indochine style two storeys
villa decorated with several antiques and furnitures from the 1930’ period,
located in a lush tropical garden by the river among pomelo, longan, mango, and
coconut and banana trees. After a short walk along a beautiful canal, the
excursion will end at approx. 3.30pm at Ba Bon Bridge where your own private transportation vehicule will await you
and transfer back to Ho Chi Minh City and enjoy the remainder of day free at
leisure.

Day 13: Depart Ho Chi Minh City

Meals
Provided: Breakfast

Today enjoy free time at leisure or explore independently
until transfer
to the Ho Chi Minh City airport in time for your flight to the next
destination. We wish you a safe and pleasant journey.

Price guideline:

The above tour costs from $1,655*per
person, based on 2 people sharing a double or twin room.

*Please note this price is subject to
change at the time of booking, and depends on the date of travel and the
availability of accommodation.

Our price includes (Private tour):

• Accommodation base in a shared double
or twin room throughout

• Daily
buffet breakfast at hotel and all hotels taxes and service charges.

• Pick-ups
and transfers by private air-conditioned vehicle as specified in the itinerary.